Principal Message

Be Kind, Be safe, Be respectful, Be responsible, Be resilient, Be ready

Dear Families,

I begin our newsletter with some sad news from Wendy. This morning at 3:45am, Wendy's mother Diane, passed away, exactly 3 months after her father, Joe passed away. We hope it is some comfort for Wendy and her family that her parents are now together at peace.

Please keep Wendy and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Eternal rest, grant unto Diane, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May Diane's soul, and all those dearly departed,

Rest in peace

Amen

As we move into Week 2 of Term 4, I would like to take this opportunity to remind all parents and carers of the importance of safe and orderly drop-off and pick-up procedures at Our Lady Star of the Sea.

The safety of our children is our highest priority, and we all have a responsibility to ensure that our school car park remains a safe environment for every student, family and staff member.

Recently, we have observed some parents and carers parking at an angle in the Kiss and Go Zone and reversing into the zone. These practices create a significant safety hazard, particularly when children are getting in and out of vehicles. Reversing movements and vehicles parked incorrectly can reduce visibility, disrupt the intended flow of traffic and increase the risk of an accident.

The Kiss and Go Zone has been specifically designed to allow for a safe and efficient flow of vehicles during our busy morning and afternoon periods. To ensure it operates as intended, it is essential that all families follow the designated procedures.

Please take the time to review the attached Kiss and Go Zone Safety Rules and ensure that everyone responsible for dropping off or collecting your child is familiar with these expectations.

A few important reminders:

Follow the designated traffic flow within the school car park.
Do not park at an angle or reverse into the Kiss and Go Zone.
Remain alert and vigilant, particularly when children are entering or exiting vehicles.
Follow staff directions and be patient during busy drop-off and pick-up times.
Use the designated areas appropriately and keep traffic moving safely.
Use the pedestrian crossing from parked car areas

I understand that mornings and afternoons can be busy, and we all want to get to our next destination as efficiently as possible. However, a few extra moments of patience can make a significant difference to the safety of our children.

It takes all of us working together to ensure that the car park flows as it was designed, that drop-off and pick-up are as smooth as possible, and, most importantly, that every child arrives at and leaves school safely.

Thank you for your cooperation, understanding and ongoing support in helping us maintain a safe school environment. By working together and following these simple but essential procedures, we can make a positive difference for our whole school community.

Warm regards,

Pamela McKillop